Emergency Fuel Assistance
The Emergency Fuel Assistance program
provides financial support to individuals and families to help them
purchase heating fuel during the winter months. For example, during the
winter of 2002-2003, we assisted approximately 400 families at a cost to
the Council of $56,764.23. We were able to do so because of the generous
donations we received from local businesses, churches, individuals, and
the City of Springfield. In addition, several oil companies responded to
our request for free oil deliveries by donating 500 gallons each.
In order to help as many people as possible during each winter
season, we also work collaboratively with the New England Farm Workers,
the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Citizens' Energy. Our
priority recipients are senior citizens, first-time callers, and
families with young children. Unfortunately, because our donations
dropped to $20,000 in the winter of 2003-2004, we were only able to help
170 families.
Please call 413-733-2149 for additional information.
Emergency Support Services
Our Emergency Support Services program assists individuals and
families who are in crisis situations with financial support,
counseling, and referral services. We receive an average of 50 calls
each week from people in personal and financial need. We respond with
monetary gifts, as well as guidance through crisis situations and
advocacy with utility companies and landlords. While financial hardships
are the major request for emergency support, we receive and respond
appropriately to crisis calls with pastoral counseling and referrals to
other appropriate agencies.
Please call 413-733-2143 for additional information.
Camperships
The Campership program provides scholarships for at-risk youth,
enabling them to attend camp during the summer months.
Please call 413-733-2149 for additional information.
Faith in Action
Faith in Action is a volunteer care-giving program designed to help
elders remain in their homes and maintain their independence. We provide
services such as yard and home maintenance, transportation, and
assistance with shopping.
Please call 413-746-0237 for additional information.
Faith Based After-Incarceration Support Services
Our After-Incarceration Support program provides one-to-one mentoring
for individuals who are making a transition back into the community
after having been released from prison. In partnership with the Hampden
County Sheriff’s Department, we have also established a Mentoring Center
in which we provide training for mentors, education and awareness
seminars, and a central place for aftercare resources for people
re-entering the community. We also work in partnership with the
Anti-Drug Coalition, visit the Hampden County Prison in Ludlow, and
educate the incarcerated regarding the services that are available to
them upon their release.
Our hope is that through this program recidivism will decrease,
thereby providing a safer community and a stronger sense of family. Our
target groups are the newly unemployed, the terminally or chronically
ill, the homeless, people in recovery, those leaving long-term treatment
facilities, and ex-convicts.
Please call 413-733-2149 for additional information.
Homelessness
The Council’s Homelessness program targets advocacy issues and
provides direct services by developing partnerships and coalitions on
behalf of specific families. We also serve on the Mayor's Strategic
Planning Committee on Homelessness. Our hopes are to mobilize the
religious community, to identify mentors for the homeless, and to
develop permanent and affordable housing for all.
Please call 413-733-2149 for additional information.
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